Vietnam Travel Newsletter 2016 – Quarter 3

EVIVA TOUR VIETNAM is a local DMC in Vietnam with more than 10 years of experience and endless passion for travel. In our latest newsletter, we would like to bring you up-to-date travel information in the upcoming holiday season in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Let’s get in touch and follow us on TripAdvisor, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.

A group of international Ambassadors living in Vietnam have recently completed exploring Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave. Over the course of a 4-day trip, the group made their way past physical obstacles, including caves, jungles, and rivers, and had been captivated by the spectacular landscapes of this natural wonder.

(Source: Eviva Blog, TuoiTreNews)

Viet Nam: One of the world’s greatest cities for food

Viet Nam got the 1st place with the diverse street foods on the Telegraph. Recently, president Obama came to Viet Nam for a short visit and he tried one of the most popular dishes of Ha Noi street food: Bun Cha. It is advisable that you try other Vietnamese dishes such as tiu noodles, banh mi, and com tam.

BMTM Da Nang 2016 which aimed to strengthen partnership and development of tourism industry globally was held on 24 to 26 June at Tien Son Sports Center, Da Nang City – the Central of Vietnam. Over 100 international buyers and 28 foreign media and tourism bloggers registered to participate at the Beach Leisure and MICE Travel Mart Da Nang on June 23-26.

(Source: Business Leisure)

Direct International Flights from Sihanoukville

The national carrier, Cambodia Angkor Air, officially launched on 17 June 2016 its first flight services connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to the Kingdom’s coastal resort in Sihanoukville. Cambodia Angkor Air becomes the first airline to offer direct international scheduled flights to the port city. The new service operates 5 times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Quang Binh is becoming a popular destination with adventure travelers. In addition to Son Doong Cave tour, domestic and foreign customer will have more chances to explore Hang Va and Nuoc Nut caves through a new program launched by Oxalis Adventure Tour Operator.

Gieng Troi (The Well of God) has been newly discovered by local adventurers in Da Nang. It is about 10 kilometers from Ba Na cable to the west. The site is blessed with natural scenery of beautiful waterfalls and nice streams. Well of God is a new tourist attraction to young local trekkers with its pristine nature.

An extensive network of ancient cities has been discovered in Cambodian jungle around the ruins of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. In all the lasers scanned 735 square miles of the Angkor region and the results revealed an entire cityscape. Temples from the Khmer Empire were normally surrounded by wood and thatch buildings.

(Source: Telegraph)

SPECIAL TOURS

Wherever you want to go in Indochina, EVIVA TOUR VIETNAM will provide you luxury tailor made tours at highest quality service. As a local expert with a professional team, you will always receive our absolute care before, during and after your trip.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve is a perfect destination if you are looking for a tranquil place to escape from the usually crowded adventure destinations. Here you can view all Northern highlights from breath-taking landscapes of mountain ranges in Sa Pa, to scenic rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai as well as mighty rivers and waterfalls of Cao Bang. Visit Mai Chau traditional villages to experience lifestyle of local ethnic minorities. Outdoor activities such as trekking, bamboo rafting, kayaking, and biking are also available on stunning landscapes of terrace rice fields. Please e-mail us at consultant@evivatour.com.vn to request tours.

The Cham Islands consist of 7 small islands offshore from the Central Coast of Vietnam with a cool climate, white-sand seashores, forested hills, and deep blue sea. Besides taking part in water-based activities such as camping or swimming, you can watch colorful corals and a breath-taking marine life while scuba-diving. This quarter is the best season for you to try snorkeling in the Cham Islands, as the ocean sediment is calming and the sunlight is bright and warm from pleasant summer months of June to end of August. Please e-mail us at consultant@evivatour.com.vn to request tours.

Tra Su SanctuaryForest is known as a “Green Paradise” of raw and natural beauty. The forest used to be a project which was from a foreign invested fund. After the project, flocks of birds flied and nestled here turning it as a bird sanctuary. The jungle is hardly touched by human and can be discovered by boating. Speed boats will take you in through lotus flowers swamp and small canal, to watch birds flying overhead.

Mui Ne is a 12-kilometer long sweeping bay and one of Vietnam’s most popular beaches. Competing with Boracay in Philippines as the kitesurfing capital of Southeast Asia, Mui Ne is definitely a paradise for wind sport worshippers. The best time to visit Mui Ne is October to the end of March. Signature attractions include red and white sand dunes, Po Shanu Cham Towers, and Fairy Stream.

Da Nang is the most dynamic and the most worth living city in Vietnam. Here you may swim in the deep blue sea of My Khe – one of the six most luxurious beaches on the planet voted by Forbes, or stroll along the romantic Han riverfront. Moreover, you could visit Non Nuoc Mountain with its famous stone carving products, or experience the longest cable car route while enjoying the gorgeous view from Ba Na Hills. Located about 30 kilometers south of Da Nang City, Hoi An is Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful town. Once a major port, it boasts the grand architecture and beguiling riverside setting that befits its heritage.

With intelligent architecture that combines both Eastern and Western decoration, Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa is well known as the top of its class in the city of Ho Chi Minh.Winter Promotion – Discount 05%
• Advanced booking will receive a discount of 5% on room rate.
• Booking Period : 1 Oct 2016 – 31 Mar 2017
• Stay Period : 1 Oct 2016 – 31 Mar 2017

The 4-star hotel is located in the new center of Ninh Binh city and would bring you a perfect confluence of French architecture charm and modern convenience.Early bird booking
• Validity: 1 Oct 2016 – 31 Dec 2016
• Special rate: from $88

Vu Lan – Vietnamese Mother’s Day Time: 15 Aug 2016 Place: Hai Duong province, Vietnam About: The seventh full moon in the year, Vu Lan Festival is for family gathering as well as praying for the homeless. Activities: A lavish tray with various dishes is prepared for the ancestral and another one in front of each house for the needy souls. People often float sparkling lanterns of wishes and prays along the river creating a very oriental holy ambiance. Votive money is customarily burned in those days.

Xip Xi – festival of the white Thai Time: 18 Aug 2016 Place: Son La Province, Vietnam About: Xip Xi was held to review the first half of the year. For the Thai children, it’s also their chance to receive new clothes. Activities: Xip Xi begins with a colorful feast offered to the ancestors. From preparing rice to presenting on banana leaves, it’s a progress of art to be discovered. Usually full of love songs, fan dance and traditional games, the festival is time for the Thai to welcome guests as a symbol of luck.

Mid-Autumn Festival Time: 15 Sep 2016 Place: Nation-wide About: Mid-Autumn is time to celebrate the prosperity as the moon becomes brightest and to bring happiness to children as well. Activities: Multi-color lanterns in various shapes, lion dances, folk games and moon cakes are highlights. People can make their own handicraft toys, moon cakes or fruit presentation as well. Some provinces like Hoi An also have Lantern Festival in their ancient quarter.

Kiep Bac Festival Time: 15-19 August 2016 Place: Hai Duong Province, Vietnam About: The festival is dedicated to General Tran Quoc Tuan who led Vietnamese army to victory in the Battle of Bach Dang. Activities: People can sense the joyfulness from the excited crowd following Saint Tran’s ancestral tablet heading to Kiep Bac temple. Traditional cooking contest and wrestling also contribute to the festivity. For its cultural richness, the festival’s been recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Katê – an unique custom of the Cham Time: 3 Oct 2016 Place: Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam About: A soulful festival held to express deep respects to Cham heroes and their supreme beings. Activities: As the Cham holy land, My Son is crowded by nearby tribes carrying out spiritual rites. Cham music, solemn hymns, and exotic dances are usually performed until night. Pottery demonstration, traditional cakes making and brocade weaving is also represented regularly.

Ok Om Bok festival Time: 13-14 Nov 2016 Place: Tra Vinh, Viet Nam About: Ok Om Bok is held to express gratitude to the Moon for abundant crops and to wish for the next successful harvest. Activities: Ngo boat race is the most featured activity. Along the riverbanks, boisterous sound of drums, trumpets, cheers and applause excite every participant. Villagers often spend the night with a table of sticky rice, coconuts, bananas, sweets and a cozy pot of tea.

TRAVEL POLICIES

Within 11 months after the Decree 46 about the visa waiver policy for citizens of 5 European countries including Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain were declared since 1 July 2015, the number of visitors from these countries has increased by 15%, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

As the policy has been creating a very positive effect, the Vietnamese Government has decided to extend it by one additional year. The new Decree 56/NQ-CP signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on 6 Jun 2016 is effective until 30 June 2017.

Kindly note that you still need a visa to enter Vietnam if you wish to stay for more than 15 days, or to re-enter Vietnam within 30 days from your last exiting date.

Although you can only find McDonald’s 24-hour fast food restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, you still have many choices such as Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway or Starbucks in cities such as Hanoi, Da Nang and Can Tho. Especially, everything on the menu from fish nuggets, fried chicken burger, squid rings to soup can be served with rice. And if you suddenly feel like having international foods, you could easily spot from Thai Express, Korean Lotteria, and Singapore KOMBO franchises to restaurants where they serve Italian or Russian dishes.

September and October make a perfect time to go trekking in the far north, or a photography tour in Ninh Binh, Sa Pa or Ha Giang when the rice terraces wear a golden shade all over the hills. Hanoi is charming under the autumn sunlight, suitable for a walk surrounded by changing color leaves with blooming mango-pine. The central coastline around Da Nang is in the monsoon season when there are heavy rains, but it could be a unique experience for you to row a boat around the old town of Hoi An. Moreover, you could visit the bustling floating markets in The Mekong Delta around December as there are less rain and clearer skies.

Blooming seasons
Visiting Ha Giang around late October to early November, you will be overwhelmed by the brilliantly colorful valleys with buckwheat flowers turning into pink and purple from pristine white. While from November to December is the perfect time for white radish flower to bloom in Moc Chau, as the pure white blossoms spreading along the paths and cover the hills. Moreover, you could contemplate the elegance of light pink peach blossoms while being captivated by the vivid scenery of Sa Pa in the cold winter, between December and February.

Packing for Vietnam
Remember to bring warm clothes and comfy pants, sturdy shoes with your proper gears if you are planning for a trek in the far north. And if the southern beaches like Phu Quoc are on your visiting list, don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses or sun hat along with your T-shirt, shorts, and swimsuit for the trip. When visiting a culturally sensitive area, please remember to wear clothes which cover your arms and legs. Bring along chargers of your needs as the sockets for plugs two round pins are commonly used in Vietnam.